The Global Wetlands Project (GLOW) is informing and empowering coastal conservation

The world needs coastal wetlands. Seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and saltmarshes are high-value habitats providing many benefits to humanity. Unfortunately, we are losing these important places and there is an urgent need to limit and reverse the loss of coastal wetlands to arrest biodiversity decline, protect communities and tackle climate change.

With our global partners, we have developed a suite of tools to support decision-makers to distinguish areas that most urgently require conservation investment

Prof Rod Connolly

Generous philanthropic support since 2018 has enabled the Global Wetlands Project to elevate scientific understanding of the critical issues facing coastal wetlands. The project’s academic leader, Professor Rod Connolly, believes that open and accessible science will accelerate coastal conservation.

The Global Wetlands Project’s web apps allow users to explore an index of coastal wetland health.  Citizen groups through to decision makers can zoom into the global map, see the category their region falls into and find out what makes their coastal wetlands unique.  The App helps stakeholders identify the locations that most need conservation investment and supports funding applications for on-ground conservations works.

These tools are providing new insights for wetlands management across the globe. Professor Connolly, his team and their global partners have accurately measured and analysed wetland health in Portugal, South Africa, India, China, Vanuatu and here in Moreton Bay in Brisbane.

The Project has also raised international awareness of the importance of wetlands in combatting climate change and has provided local communities with the tools they need to take positive action to conserve these critical habitats.

Professor Connolly says, “we believe conservation initiatives can be accelerated and improved for more data, more often, at less cost if we take full advantage of AI technologies.  The support from our philanthropic donors has been the catalyst for this vital work and we will continue to deliver real-time data to support wetlands conservation across the globe. Together we are supporting thriving environments for all.”

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